The Top 25 South Park Characters

With South Park: The Stick of Truth about to released, we're looking back at what's made the series so iconic over its impressively long run and decided it was a good time to refresh our list of the Top 25 South Park Characters. At this point, South Park has given us a ridiculous amount of memorable characters, whether they be completely original or the South Park spin on real life people and religious icons. But which are the cream of the crop? Check out our list...

Kyle's uber-protective mother has been a constant source of overbearing parental influence and has become the epitome of family-oriented outrage. Her maternal extremism led to the creation of Mothers Against Canada, which in turn led to the American-Canadian war in South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut. Whenever you think that your mom is a bit over the top, keep in mind that at least she didn't start a freaking war like Sheila did. Don't get on this woman's bad side. Who can forget her presence in "It's a Jersey Thing", where her New Jersey roots came to the forefront and led to an invasion of Jerseyites?

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Hannibal: Season 2 Premiere Review

Note: Full spoilers for the Hannibal: Season 2 premiere follow.

First off, if you somehow managed to see the Hannibal: Season 2 premiere without the opening being spoiled for you, congratulations! NBC sure worked hard to make sure you were spoiled though, including the Jack/Hannibal fight in multiple promos and then releasing nearly the whole thing earlier this week. I get it - it’s an incredible, attention-getting scene that some would argue isn’t a huge spoiler since it is at least the very first scene of the episode/season. But I saw the premiere back in January, the day before the first trailer for Season 2 debuted and was simply shocked by what was occurring and I can’t help wishing everyone else could have gone in that pure.

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The LEGO Movie Videogame 3DS, Vita Review

Somewhere along the line, LEGO games on portables got really small. Older LEGO adventures on DS and PSP at least tried to recreate the large-scale action and exploration of their console big brothers, but more recent installments (like LEGO Marvel Superheroes) have streamlined the gameplay to the point where the portables feel like they’re getting a plastic brick shaft. The LEGO Movie Videogame on PS Vita and 3DS is no exception: its stripped-down gameplay and focus on bite-sized levels and timed achievements make it feel like a rushed, lesser version of the console experience.

Like the console version, The LEGO Movie Videogame for 3DS and Vita follows the storyline of the movie exactly, only this time the action is divvied up into 45 mini-levels. In theory, that makes a lot of sense on portable systems where you might not have 20 or 30 minutes to complete a single level and just want a quick burst of LEGO fun, but most levels go by so quickly that the desire to go back and replay them to explore further is ruined. Some levels can be completed in a couple of minutes, such as those love-’em-or-hate-’em falling sequences in which you have to maneuver the lovable star, Emmet, to avoid obstacles while plummeting through as many bonus pick-ups as possible. Others, like driving and mine-cart railed sequences can be so infuriating to get through in the first place that only completionists will want to load them up again.

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5 Useful Things to Know About Infinite Crisis

Superheroic MOBA Infinite Crisis is in better shape than it was when I played the closed beta a few months ago. It certainly wasn’t bad then, but moving, attacking, and casting spells all feel fittingly faster now. Also, since going hands-on with the newest characters on the latest map, I’ve identified five aspects of Infinite Crisis that, together, give it a more distinct feel in the ever-crowded MOBA genre. Here are the biggest takeaways you need to know:

Imagine Green Lantern is your favorite superhero. Now imagine Green Lantern is a support class, but you prefer characters who dish out damage on the frontline. Disappointing, right?

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New Release Date for The Purge 2

Universal Pictures has pushed the release date of The Purge: Anarchy from June 20, 2014, to July 18, 2014.

The Purge, starring Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey, was Blumhouse's first collaboration with Universal under their first-look deal. Jason Blum of Blumhouse will produce the sequel alongside Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes and and Sebastien Lemercier.

Universal decided to move forward on The Purge: Anarchy shortly after the opening weekend success of The Purge, which, on a $3 million budget, earned an impressive $34 million at the box office.

James DeMonaco, director of the first movie, will helm the followup about dutiful citizens preparing for their country's annual 12 hours of anarchy.

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We Prep You For Future Comic Book TV Shows

The Walking Dead, Arrow, and Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are all comic properties that made the jump from comic page to TV screen. With a new comic being adapted for television seemingly every other day, we decided to show you what to read if you want to know what's in store for the next wave of comic book TV shows. What's cooler than saying you knew it before it was popular?

While some of these shows are guaranteed to make it to the small screen -- Netflix's Marvel bundle, for example -- a lot of these are still in development. Some haven't been cast, some haven't had their pilots shot, and others are still in the early stages of production. While we certainly hope for the best, the reality is that some of the properties listed here might not make it to television.

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Titanfall Doesn't Require An Online Pass, Season Pass Unlikely

Developer Respawn Entertainment has confirmed Titanfall will not require an Online Pass. A Season Pass for future downloadable content also seems unlikely.

The verification emerged via the official Titanfall Twitter feed, clarifying earlier statements about post-release support.

Sorry for any confusion. There is no ONLINE pass for Titanfall. We have no details to announce around a Season Pass at this time. #Titanfall

— Titanfall (@Titanfallgame) February 28, 2014

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Ashton Kutcher Designing Lenovo Smartphones

When Ashton Kutcher took on the role of Apple's visionary co-founder in the biopic Jobs, something must have really stuck. As reported by Recode, the actor will assist Lenovo in developing a unique line of smartphones set to launch sometime in 2014. Lenovo had previously hired Kutcher to promote its Yoga Tablet.

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Rumor: A New Matrix Trilogy Is in the Works

We’ve heard about a return to the world of the Matrix on the big screen here and there over the years, but now a new report indicates that Warner Bros. and series creators the Wachowski siblings are moving ahead on a new trilogy in the series.

Latino Review has the scoop, saying that the Wachowskis have started the writing process and have turned in treatments and outlines to Warners. It’s not clear whether or not they’ll direct the films, if they actually come to pass.

Also not clear: Whether or not Keanu Reeves or any original cast members will return. LR does say one of the early outlines is about the birth of the Matrix, which would predate Neo.

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Microsoft Considers Free Version of Windows 8.1

Earlier this week, ZDNet reported Microsoft was experimenting with the concept of a free version of its latest operating system, Windows 8.1. Speaking with sources familiar with Microsoft's current plans, The Verge is now reporting a bundled version of the OS--called Windows 8.1 with Bing--is already in the works. Allegedly, the free bundle is being positioned as an incentive for Windows 7 users to upgrade, but this offer could extend further.

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The Birds Remake Finds Its Director

Alfred Hitchock’s 1963 classic The Birds is one step closer to a remake. Dutch director Diederik Van Rooijen has reportedly signed on to helm the film.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Rooijen will direct the long-gestating remake, which will be produced by Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller from Platinum Dunes, along with Peter Guber and David Zelon of Mandalay Pictures.

Van Rooijen directed the foreign thriller Taped (which will get an English version) and created the Dutch television series Penoza, which has been adapted by ABC in the U.S. as Red Widow. The Birds will be his North American feature film debut.

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WB Backs Depp's Gangster Film Over Affleck/Damon's

It appears the looming showdown over rival movies about Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger is over before it began.

Deadline reports that Warner Bros. has come aboard to co-finance and distribute worldwide the true crime movie Black Mass, which has Johnny Depp set to star as the notorious Beantown mobster. What's notable about this is it means the studio has effectively killed their own in-house Whitey Bulger movie that was to have been directed by Oscar winner Ben Affleck, starred Matt Damon, and was scripted by The Wolf of Wall Street and The Sopranos' Terence Winter. Yes, Warners just screwed over their new Batman.

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Apple Offering $25 iTunes Card with Apple TV

Apple may eventually announce new features for its streaming media unit--like App Store compatibility--but for right now, it appears the device is selling just fine. While Cupertino has announced some impressive sales figures for Apple TV, the company is also offering a special promotion over the next week.

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No Anchorman 3

Starting today, Anchorman 2's alternate cut featuring "up to 763 new jokes" will run for seven days in theaters before Ron Burgundy says goodbye to the big screen once more. But what about after that? Should fans expect a threequel sometime in the future?

"It's done," said Anchorman 2 director Adam McKay, speaking with Empire. "I think that's it. It was great to do it and it was so fun to work with those guys again, but I think that's it for Ron Burgundy."

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New Godzilla Pics and Size Comparison Chart

Even though you don’t get to see too much of him in the most recent trailer, we’ve know for a while now what director Gareth Edwards and Legendary’s new take on Godzilla looks like. (Which is to say, awesome.) But a few new promotional images for the film have now dropped, including a size comparison chart that tracks the King of the Monsters from his original incarnation all the way to this new version.

The images come from the new issue of Empire. Take a look at a few of the choice ones here:

Who said size matters not?

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New Batman Arkham Game May Be Revealed Soon

Rocksteady Games may be revealing its next Batman game in the very near future.

Kotaku reported that GameStop stores received a shipment of Batman banners this week showing the Arkham logo surrounded in flames. Such promotional materials often precede the release of a significant title. IGN verified the promotional materials with numerous GameStop stores. The story also mentions that a Dutch journalist suggested that he attended a Rocksteady press event held weeks ago, but is not allowed to publish any information from it until March.

The fire rises.

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Steam Family Sharing Now Available for All Users

The Steam Family Sharing feature allowing users to share their libraries with each other has left beta and is now available for all users, Valve announced today.

Family Sharing allows a user to authorize up to 10 devices and five accounts to access any of the games in his or her Steam account. Users need to be online in order to play a shared game and have access to the entire library of a user sharing games, with some exceptions -- games that use CD keys or third-party services like Origin or Uplay may not be supported. DLC can be played right alongside the base game, but only if that game is not owned by the guest. In other words, you can't borrow DLC for a game you own through Family Sharing.

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NVC: Donkey Kong, Pokemon, and the Shutdown of Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection

Download Nintendo Voice Chat Here

Download Nintendo Voice Chat Here

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New Maps, Skills, Difficulty Mode Coming to The Last of Us

Naughty Dog has shared some new information about what to expect from the next round of downloadable for The Last of Us on PlayStation 3. The last bit of season pass content that is coming will be "multiplayer goodness with new maps, new weapons, new skills, and also a brand new difficulty mode for the single player campaign."

While the developer did not get into specifics of the next DLC, it indicated that it will "have more information on it as in-game elements near completion." This content will be the final offering to buyers of The Last of Us season pass, following several multiplayer additions and the single player Left Behind, which released February 14.

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Atlus: Demon's Souls 2 '100%' Not Happening

Rumors of a direct sequel to Demon's Souls appear to be untrue, as the prospect of such a game has been emphatically shot down by publisher Atlus.

In response to a comment on the PlayStation Blog about Demon's Souls 2, Atlus PR Manager John Hardin stated, "

can 100% confirm there will NOT be a Demon Souls 2."

Atlus was the publisher of the original Demon's Souls in North America, whereas Sony published it in Japan and continues to own the IP. There has been speculation that Sony could release a sequel, and rumors began circulating last year that Demon's Souls 2 was in the works.

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Dota 2 Launching New Fantasy League Feature

Dota 2 is getting its very own fantasy league feature just ahead of the start of DreamLeague Season 1, Valve has announced.

The new fantasy league feature, known as Fantasy Dota, builds on what was seen in the International 2013 Compendium. It works much like the fantasy leagues popularized by sports like American football, basketball, and baseball: Pro players are drafted by each member of the league, and those players' performances in the upcoming tournament earn their owners points in weekly head-to-head matches.

Up to six people can be in a league, each with eight players who can only be owned by a single person in a given league. Based on their play style, players are either grouped into the Core or Support type, with teams needing to have at least two of each (as well as one from either type) on their active roster. More details on roster management and how scoring is handled are available on the Dota 2 blog.

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Games With Gold March 2014: Civilization Revolution, Dungeon Defenders

The two games that will be free to download in March on Xbox 360 are Civilization Revolution and Dungeon Defenders, Microsoft has announced.

Beginning tomorrow on March 1, Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution will be knocked down from its regular price of $30 and will be free to download until March 15. Civilization Revolution is an older title from 2008, but it is a great console strategy game. It earned 8.8 in IGN's review when it released.

Starting on March 16, Civilization Revolution will return to normal price and Dungeon Defenders shall take its place, dropping from $14.99 and remaining free through the end of March. Dungeon Defenders launched in 2011 for the Xbox Live Arcade, and it's an incredibly addictive multiplayer tower defense action game. It scored 8.5 in IGN's review.

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Sci-fi Adventure forma.8 Announced for PS4, Vita

Indie developer MixedBag announced today that its self-described "Metroidvania" sci-fi adventure forma.8 will be coming to PS4 and Vita later this year.

In a post on the PlayStation blog, MixedBag cofounder Mauro Fanelli said forma.8 is "an action adventure game and our own personal take on the classic Metroidvania formula," adding, "we started working on forma.8 more than two years ago, beginning with a little gameplay concept centered on an experimental control system for touch devices."

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SHIELD: Watch the Opening to Next Week's Episode

After a month off, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is back this coming Tuesday. And there's plenty to deal with, as the last episode ended with Skye shot by Ian Quinn (David Conrad), and barely hanging on to life.

IGN has your exclusive first look at the cold opening to the new episode, "T.A.H.I.T.I.", as we see the team in the immediate aftermath of Skye's shooting. Suffice to say, they are upset - and some, like May, are looking for an outlet for those feelings.

Check out the first four minutes of "T.A.H.I.T.I." below!

This is a big episode that will also introduce Bill Paxton as Agent John Garrett, a character from Marvel Comics first introduced in the classic Elektra: Assassin miniseries. You can watch the whole thing when Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: "T.A.H.I.T.I." airs Tuesday, March 4th on ABC.

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We've Seen 20 Minutes of Godzilla!

Director Gareth Edwards screened brand-new footage from his forthcoming Godzilla movie in London today, and it’s safe to say the audience was blown away by what they saw.

Edwards screened a total of five scenes from the film, the first involving an incident at a power plant, the next an interrogation, the third an epic sequence set in Hawaii, the fourth an action scene that takes place in and around a train, and the fifth the ‘Halo Jump’ from the film’s teaser.

Join us as we discuss the scenes in detail in the below video…

Gareth also participated in a Q&A, wherein we learned…

-Edwards liked the fact that the 1954 was a serious take on the monster movie, and that’s what he wants to replicate.

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Jackman: Recasting Wolverine is “Inevitable”

Say it isn’t so! Hugh Jackman, who has been playing Wolverine since the first X-Men film was released in 2000, believes his days with the claws are numbered.

The Origins of X-Men: Days of Future Past

I spoke to the superhero actor and super nice guy on the set of director Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Days of Future Past a few months back, and the topic of recasting Wolverine did come up. Today, in the last part of our coverage of that set visit, Jackman addresses that topic and much more…

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Play Infamous: Second Son And Meet Troy Baker

Infamous: Second Son, the hugely-anticipated title from Sucker Punch, is set to launch in the UK on March 21 exclusively for PS4.

While there's not long to wait, we've been getting restless. Which is why we've decided to team up with PlayStation UK and GAME to host a very special event next week in London, featuring some of the development team and voice actor Troy Baker.

While the event will be livestreamed on IGN, we're giving 10 lucky winners the chance to come to the event in Central London on the evening of March 7. They'll each be able to bring a friend, go hands on with a demo of Infamous: Second Son ahead of launch, meet game director Nate Fox and brand development director Ken Sharam, along with and Delsin’s voice actor Troy Baker for a signing session and take part in a live Q&A with the studio.

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Pokemon Cartoon and Movies Heading to Netflix

Two seasons of the Pokemon anime cartoon and a couple of the movies will be available on Netflix from tomorrow, March 1.

In terms of the TV show, the seasons that'll soon be available to stream inclue the first one, Indigo League, which was originally aired between 1997 and 1999 in Japan and North America. Indigo League will be available to Netflix owners in Canada, Ireland, the UK and the US.

The other season that's arriving tomorrow is the 14th one, Black and White, which first aired in Japan in 2010 after the release of the similarly titled games on DS. Season 14 will be coming to all Netflix territories.

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Starbreeze Recoups 15 Year Loss in Just Six Months

Payday 2 and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, in conjunction with the original Payday: The Heist, have boosted Swedish studio Starbreeze to a stunning reversal in fortunes.

“To put the past six months in perspective, I would like to highlight that Starbreeze historically, from 1998 to June 2013, accumulated a total loss of SEK 94 million (approximately USD$14.4 million),” writes Starbreeze CEO Bo Andersson Klint in the company’s half-year earnings report. “Thanks to our new business model, reorganization and a focus on our own brands, we have – in only two quarters – generated a profit before tax of SEK 104 million (approximately USD$16 million).

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Vikings: Season 2 Premiere Review

Warning: Full spoilers for the episode follow...

"Brother's War" dives directly into the conflict that the Vikings Season 1 finale "All Change" introduced. The seeds of change were planted in last season's closer, but they really played out in tonight's entry. There were so many profound shifts in the character’s lives, in fact, that the premiere may have left some viewers with a bit of emotional whiplash.

Part of the nature of this series is that it moves through time rather quickly. Vikings is condensing months, and sometimes years, into just a handful of episodes. Because the show is basing the characters on real-world figures, and aiming to touch on specific historical events, it occasionally seems as if there’s a race to get through what are in many ways the most significant portions of these character’s lives.

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The Big Bang Theory: "The Table Polarization" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

The previous episode of The Big Bang Theory ended on a pretty monumental note, as Amy and Sheldon finally took their years-long relationship to a level most couples reach after one or two dates and kissed. At first, it seemed like "The Table Polarization" was going to take the typical route of completely ignoring that big development and resetting the status quo. But what started as a simple argument over a new piece of furniture wound up driving a major rift between Sheldon and Leonard and Penny. And the result was a really strong storyline. It had that character and relationship drama that gives the show its meat, but it stayed consistently amusing and lighthearted at the same time.

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Parks and Recreation: "Anniversaries" Review

Warning: Full spoilers for the episode follow...

Parks and Rec has returned, after yet another multi-week break, with "Anniversaries" - an episode largely devoted to Leslie trying to "save" the Pawnee-Eagleton merger by finding things that represent unity between the two burgs. And due to her feverishly trying to put a good spin on a plan that's been marred with ill-will, she misses Ben's perfect pre-"anniversary day" day of massages, Enchanted-inspired carriage rides (Tally Ho!), dancing lessons, and cooking classes.

Fortunately, Larry was right there by Ben's side to share in all these special moments - at Ben's request, no less. And I think my favorite part about the gift day storyline, other than Ben being angrily determined that Leslie be the one to make the usual dopey surprise face ("She will make that stupid face!"), was that Larry didn't screw anything up. Because, at first glance, having Larry help Ben plan his special day with Leslie is a terrible idea. So much so that I figured Larry would screw up a bunch of things, leaving me frustrated with Ben for thinking it would all run smoothly. But this wasn't workplace Larry. This was outside of the Parks Department Larry. The Larry who Gayle Gergich fell in love with (although Ben's accidental hypnosis theory still holds water).

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European Commission Wants Crackdown on Free-to-Play Games

The European Commission is meeting today and tomorrow with various “national enforcement authorities and large tech companies” to discuss concerns over complaints from across Europe regarding in-app purchases.

The Commission notes that Europe’s “app economy” is on the rise and is expected to be worth an estimated €63 billion in the next five years. However, it also notes that while over 50 per cent of the European digital games marketplace consists of games advertised as “free”, many contain costly, in-app purchases.

The Commission believes some consumers are not fully aware that they are spending money because their credit cards are charged by default and that children are particularly vulnerable to aggressive marketing in “free to download games which are not free to play.”

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Dead Island: Epidemic Closed Beta Begins

The Dead Island: Epidemic closed beta has entered its next phase, and the game is now available 24 hours per day, publisher Deep Silver announced today in a press release.

Dead Island: Epidemic is the third title in the Dead Island series, and the first to adopt the multiplayer online battle arena approach. It was previously only available to beta testers during select windows throughout the day.

Previous games in the Dead Island franchise were released for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as PC. Players interested in joining the beta for the new installment can sign up here.

The site promises future updates on "characters, weapons, and game modes," and does not yet include any indication as to which platforms the game might come to in addition to the PC edition.

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Community: "Bondage and Beta Male Sexuality" Review

Note: Full spoilers for the episode follow.

On one hand, this was the least funny episode of Community so far this season. On the other hand, it was still pretty damn interesting and entertaining in its own offbeat way.

It was good to see Duncan given a true spotlight episode, after all this time. While Season 5 is giving Jon Oliver his biggest role yet on the show, not only was the character first introduced in the Community pilot as Jeff's in to Greendale, but he was originally going to be a series regular. Getting to know him a bit more here, while being reminded that he has a history with Jeff that goes back before anyone else at Greendale, was nicely done. Duncan's crush on Britta has been established before, but the fact that he was both comforting to her when she needed it (though he sure would have liked to have done more...) and decided to go hang out with the old friend he hadn't really connected with of late helped humanize him.

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Keepin' It Reel, Episode 239

Welcome back to Keepin' It Reel! In this week's podcast, Jim Vejvoda and Roth Cornet bring you the latest in genre movie news.

After tackling last weekend's box office -- where The LEGO Movie remained No. 1 for the third weekend in a row -- we discuss the latest movie news, including Star Wars: Episode VII, Marvel movies, Godzilla, Ted 2, Ghostbusters 3, Fast & Furious 7, and the death of comedy icon Harold Ramis. We also guess if Liam Neeson's Non-Stop can stop The LEGO Movie will fare at this weekend's box office.

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The Wind Rises Review

Refracted through the imagination of revered animator Hayao Miyazaki, the dreams of aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi are as wondrous as a serpentine dragon, a parade of wood spirits, or a dancing Totoro. But even when Jiro's mind opens the door for endless possibilities, Miyazaki favors reality. In visions he conjures plane designs that nestle into the laws of physics, and soar across the sky like fantastical creatures. But in the real world, mankind's hazy morals and violent tendencies encroach upon true passion. What is beautiful is easily used for destruction.

For his final film, Miyazaki constructs a heart-wrenching tale of creativity and love that strives to find humanity in the haunting legacy of World War II. Yes, The Wind Rises is a cartoon, but animation unlocks its deepest emotions.

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0.15% of Mobile Players Account for 50% of In-Game Revenue

The sliver of players responsible for half of all the in-game revenue accumulated for “freemium” mobile games is shockingly small, new research from mobile analytics firm Swrve has found. The report found just 0.15 per cent of players account for 50 per cent of monthly mobile revenue from in-game purchases, meaning the vast bulk of players deliver no revenue whatsoever to developers.

Swrve found the vast majority of players surveyed make no purchases; only 1.5 per cent of players active in January 2014 made an in-app purchase that month. With 50 per cent of revenue collected from just the top 10 per cent of those that actually make purchases, this group represents tiny 0.15 per cent of total players.

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From Watchmen to Ant-Man

Watchmen’s Nite Owl himself, Patrick Wilson, is poised to return to the realm of superheroes in Marvel’s Ant-Man.

The Wrap reports that the actor is in talks to join Edgar Wright’s diminutive superhero saga, which already has Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas set to star as Ant-Man… and Ant-Man (a.k.a. Scott Lang and Hank Pym).

There’s no word on who Wilson might playing, though the idea of him filling the shoes of the third Ant-Man from the comics -- Eric O’Grady -- is appealing, if unlikely. Marvel reportedly has been looking for “another charismatic leading man.” I guess that narrows it down.

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Tech Fetish Podcast: Exploring the Galaxy

Tune in for the new episode of the Tech Fetish Podcast with hosts Scott Lowe (@ScottLowe), Justin Davis (@ErrorJustin), and Mark Ryan Sallee (@MRSallee). This week the team discusses Samsung's Galaxy S5, new Galaxy Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Fit, as well as Google's Project Ara, and Sony's closure of 20 retail stores.

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The End of Night of the Living Deadpool

The final issue of Night of the Living Deadpool is coming soon! March 5, to be exact.

We have an exclusive preview of issue #4 by Cullen Bunn and Ramon Rosanas.

Take a look and then let us know what you've thought of this series that saw Deadpool parodying famous horror stories.

Joshua is IGN’s Comics Editor. If Pokemon, Game of Thrones, or Green Lantern are frequently used words in your vocabulary, you’ll want to follow him on Twitter and IGN.

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Exclusive Poster Debut for Happy Camp

IGN's got your first look today at the new poster for Happy Camp, a forthcoming horror-thriller exec produced by Drew Barrymore. Gravitas Ventures will release the film on

VOD and across all other digital platforms on Tuesday, March 25.

Happy Camp is directed by first time filmmaker Josh Anthony. The film stars Anthony, Anne Taylor, and Michael Barbuto, all of whom also penned the script.

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Avengers: Age of Ultron Sneak Peek Coming

Marvel Entertainment will air its first TV special, called Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe, next month. The special, which debuts on March 18 on ABC, will tell the “story behind Marvel Studios” and offer new footage from its upcoming films, including a “sneak peek” at Avengers: Age of Ultron.

“In this exclusive primetime documentary special, audiences will be taken further into the Marvel Cinematic Universe than ever before, offering viewers a front row seat to the inception of Marvel Studios, the record-breaking films, the cultural phenomenon, and further expansion of the universe by Marvel Television,” says a company press release.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Age of Ultron will all get some love.

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Microsoft Names 65 Developers Signed to ID@Xbox

Microsoft has revealed an extensive list of developers currently making games for the Xbox One through the ID@Xbox program.

Though only a small percentage of the 200 developers already actively working on content, the 65 developers named today include the likes of The Behemoth, Limbo developer Playdead, and Ska Studios.

"It’s just a sample of the many independent developers who will be bringing their games to Xbox One," said Director of ID@Xbox Chris Charla via Xbox Wire.

"It’s incredibly humbling to see so many fantastic studios there supporting Xbox One, from XBLIG and XBLA alumni like Ska Studios and Humble Hearts, to new studios like Glass Bottom Games and Heart Machine, and veterans including Robomodo, Zoë Mode and Playdead."

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This Week on the Nintendo eShop (Feb. 27, 2014)

It is another slow week here on the Nintendo eShops. On 3DS, the latest (and last?) Professor Layton game is coming to North America on Friday while Goodbye Galaxy Games' Tappingo hits the download store today. My Farm is the lone original Wii U title, while the NES game Renegade comes to both Wii U and 3DS Virtual Console. Don't worry, gang, we should have a steady stream of cool indie games starting really soon on Wii U.

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy ($39.99, Available February 28)

The Professor's purported last adventure closes out the prequel trilogy and the story of Emma Altava. The gang might have found the ancient Azran race in a story that ties into the previous 3DS release Miracle Mask. It's got tons of puzzles, including daily SpotPass downloads for an entire year, as well as a neat StreetPass element where players can uncover hidden items by passing by others. Remember: a gentleman leaves no puzzle unsolved!

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Game of Thrones: New Season 4 Poster

On the heels of releasing sixteen different character posters this week -- including the four Stark ones IGN debuted -- HBO have now revealed new key art for Game of Thrones: Season 4.

You can check out the new poster below, which combines imagery of a certain three-eyed raven and the iron throne, and click through our gallery to see all the character images as well.

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16 Best Pictures That Never Won Best Picture

In the tapestry of Best Picture winners, there are more than a few films that are sorely – and often shockingly – missing. These are the movies that a lot of people assume won Best Picture, but in fact, never did. Oftentimes, it was a lesser picture (at least in retrospect) that took home the Academy’s highest honor. The most recent example being, perhaps, The King’s Speech taking the prize over The Social Network.

Whether it was an upset or an oversight, we thought it’d be fun, with Oscar Sunday fast approaching, to list off some of the films commonly mistaken as Best Pictures, even though they never got the recognition from the Academy.

Movie That Won: Crash

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The DC Universe Will Flash Forward in September

It's become customary for DC to celebrate the anniversary of the New 52 every September with a month-long marketing push. In 2012, Zero Month saw every series deliver a flashback tale or origin story set in the early days of the New 52. In 2013, it was Villains Month, where DC's numerous villains took the spotlight as Forever Evil kicked off. That was also the month DC introduced their new 3D motion covers, which inspired a collector frenzy not seen since the early '90s.

What is the Future of the New 52?

This year's September celebration will take a page from both of these past events. This time, all of DC's New 52 books will flash forward five years rather than back. These issues are designed to tie into the weekly comic The New 52: Future's End, which explores the near future of the DCU and features characters like Batman Beyond, Firestorm, Frankenstein, and the Brother Eye satellite. Presumably, each tie-in issue will showcase the fate of its respective hero five years into the future. We also assume every book will return to the present-day in October, though it might be interesting if some don't.

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Google's Modular Smartphone Could Start at $50

Last year, designer Dave Hakkens positioned the concept of a modular smartphone--or Phonebloks--as a way to cut down on the electronic waste of handsets. Motorola would go on to work with Phonebloks to eventually bring the idea to fruition, with the end result being Google's Project Ara. And according to a report from Time, these customizable phones could be out next year for an incredibly affordable price point.

Image Source: Time/Google ATAP

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WildStar: How to Play the Closed Beta this Weekend

Have you been reading about the space-faring MMO WildStar and waiting impatiently for your opportunity to play it yourself? Your time is here, my friend.

Starting today, IGN Prime members can get a closed beta key to play WildStar all this weekend, from Friday (2/28) at 7am PT through Sunday (3/2).

What do you need to do? Follow these steps:

1. Become an IGN Prime member. (If you're already Prime, skip to step 2.)


2. Get your closed beta key.
   

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Kevin Spacey Offers Opinion on Eisenberg as Lex

The news that Jesse Eisenberg had been cast as Lex Luthor in the forthcoming Batman vs Superman has met with something of a mixed reaction online, the left-field choice enraging some fans and intriguing others.

But now someone who is something of an expert on the subject has chimed in on the decision.

Kevin Spacey – who played the criminal mastermind in Superman Returns – told Empire “I think

is a remarkable actor. He’s just going to f**king own it. I think it’s a great idea and I wish him the best with it.”

So do you think that The Social Network star will “own” the role? Let us know in the comments below.

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Weapon Shop de Omasse Review

It’s getting to the point where games with wry references to JRPG cliches are themselves becoming cliched, but Weapon Shop de Omasse is at least fully self-aware. It’s literally set in a world called Cliche. Instead of playing the adventurer, you play the chap making the weapons, hammering out swords and maces on the anvil in a simple rhythm mini-game and then renting them to customers who come in looking for something to take on quests. Their progress is then recorded in a scrolling text feed that pastiches social media. It is, essentially, a game about staying home, checking Twitter, and polishing maces whilst other people go out on adventures. I played eight hours of this. I’m not sure why.

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How Terry Gilliam's Watchmen Might Have Ended

Joel Silver has been talking about the Watchmen movie he endeavoured to make with Terry Gilliam, giving a detailed account of the ending they planned.

Sam Hamm wrote the script, which differs dramatically to Alan Moore’s original, as Silver explained to ComingSoon…

“What he did was he told the story as-is, but instead of the whole notion of the intergalactic thing which was too hard and too silly, what he did was he maintained that the existence of Doctor Manhattan had changed the whole balance of the world economy, the world political structure.

“He felt that THAT character really altered the way reality had been. He had the Ozymandias character convince, essentially, the Doctor Manhattan character to go back and stop himself from being created, so there never would be a Doctor Manhattan character. He was the only character with real supernatural powers, he went back and prevented himself from being turned into Doctor Manhattan, and in the vortex that was created after that occurred these characters from Watchmen only became characters in a comic book.

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Xbox One: Fresh ID@Xbox Reveals Coming Soon

Microsoft has confirmed that a fresh wave of indie games coming to Xbox One will be announced at next month's GDC, suggesting it's unlikely we'll see many triple-A announcements.

Head of Microsoft Studios Phil Spencer explained that the plan for the next batch of ID@Xbox titles was that they'll be wheeled out at the conference, which takes place between March 17 and 21.

@Holtdagawdess We'll have some ID@XBOX stuff at GDC is the current plan.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 27, 2014

Though it's far from official, the phrasing of the response very much makes it sound like we should expect any triple-A announcements, though it's likely some indie games will be making their debut.

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What Were the Best Comics of the Week?

Between Uncanny Avengers, Black Science, and Deadly Class, this may as well be The Week of Remender. We are down a reviewer this week, so we didn't get to that last one, but we have faith in the IGN Community that they'll let us know how it was in the comments.

This week saw a bunch of new #1s in Fantastic Four, Tomb Raider, Pariah, and One-Hit Wonder, not to mention a one-shot issue for Lois Lane and the start of The Wake, Part 2.

There were some momentous endings, too. Ragnarok Now concluded in the aforementioned Uncanny Avengers. Jason Aaron wrote his last issue of Wolverine and the X-Men. The Ultimate Universe's fate was decided in a fight between Galactus and a super-sized X-Man. And the breakout hit Rat Queens finished its first arc in hilarious fashion.

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Rat Queens #5 Review

If Rat Queens were just a book devoted to poking fun at fantasy tropes and cramming in as much blood and risque humor as possible, it would be worth a read. Luckily, this book operates on deeper levels than that. Kurtis J. Wiebe has been slowly fleshing out his cast of foul-mouthed adventurers over the past few months, and that character growth really starts to pay off in issue #5. This issue runs the gamut from hardcore violence to intense moments of drama to laugh-out-loud humor, and it's a great way to cap up the first story arc.

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Black Science #4 Review

It's pretty much impossible not to get sucked into an issue of Black Science just from the opening splash page. This issue opens with a shot of German warplanes dropping bombs on their cybernetic American Indian foes. That statement alone sum sup the kooky brilliance of this series. Anything can happen as our heroes fight for survival and venture deeper into "The Onion." And so far, Remender has no trouble living up to the potential of his premise.

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Justice League Dark #28 Review

After a period where things seemed to be looking up for this crossover, it's back to feeling overly long and drawn out again. Justice League Dark #28 does have some engaging moments. Writer J.M. DeMatteis focuses pretty heavily on the "unholy trinity" of John Constantine, Zatanna, and Nick Necro. This issue really works to pay off on that group dynamic and the build-up its seen of late. There's a sense that Necro is being maneuvered for a possible redemption, which plays nciely into the whole "evil is relative" theme Forever Evil has going.

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Guardians of the Galaxy #12 Review

While a lot of events and crossovers peter out over time, "The Trial of Jean Grey" mash-up does the opposite. It got off to a slow start but is quickly building up steam as it moves towards the climax. Brian Michael Bendis has some especially juicy material to work with in this fourth chapter, as young Cyclops has just discovered that his father is still alive and serving as captain of a crew of space pirates. This issue does a great job of capturing the whirlwind of emotions upon making such a discovery. And while in one or two cases the writing veers a little bit into melodrama, usually characters like Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon are able to keep things grounded with their snark.

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Aquaman #28 Review

The first two issues of Jeff Parker's Aquaman run were good, but they only really offered a taste of the scope he has planned for the series and how it'll truly differ from Geoff Johns' run. Those elements become a little more clear with issue #28 as Parker moves into his second storyline. Not unlike a good Thor comic, there's a pleasing blend of high fantasy and human drama at work in this issue. Parker seems intent on exploring more of Arthur's past and his relationship with the surface world, and that is already yielding some strong results.

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The Wake #6 Review

So it turns out that the first five issues of this series were really just an extended (and absurdly great) prologue to the story just beginning in The Wake #6. Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy are undeniably giddy to reveal the brave new world presented here. Their enthusiasm jumps off the page and firmly embeds itself into your mind, and the conclusion of this issue will leave you undeniably gobsmacked.

We are already six issues into this ten-issue tale, but Snyder and Murphy make this feel like a completely new series. We’ve been shown glimpses of this futuristic/post-apocalyptic world before, but now the creators finally get to share it with us in full. We are shown this world through the lens of our new protagonist, Leeward. She’s, well, has the phrase “absurdly great” already been used? Seriously, she’s incredible, and you want to get to know more about her just as much as you want to get to know more about this flooded version of Earth. While Snyder is clearly pumped to give us a tour of this new world, he makes sure to refrain from giving too much away. We are introduced to more than one new threat, and while the “Mers” are certainly a major component of that, Snyder shows us that humanity may be just as big a threat to itself.

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Nintendo Terminating Wi-fi Service For DS and Wii

Update: A Nintendo representative has told Polygon that this is a "global termination" of online services that will take place for all regions on May 20.

Original story: Nintendo confirmed today in an Australian press release that it will be discontinuing its wi-fi connection services for the DS/DSi and Wii.

As of May 20, it will no longer be possible to use online features such as online play, matchmaking, and leaderboards on the specified platforms. The news comes via Nintendo's Australian site; we've yet to find out whether this change affects only Australians or is planned for implementation worldwide.

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The Flash #28 Review

The Flash #28 sees the return of writer Brian Buccellato, and this time, he's joined by artist Patrick Zircher. The issue focuses on a murder investigation with a twist: the perp is a ghost. Sort of. And since supernatural baddies are the order of the day, who better to help Barry Allen sort out the mess than Deadman? It sounds good on paper, but unfortunately, the book doesn't quite take advantage of that team-up's potential.

The issue trips up on the surplus of emotional baggage it's carrying. Barry is still stirring up his own ghosts by investigating his Mother's death -- and trying to prove his father's innocence. Barry's desperation to uncover the truth casts a pall over the book's events, limiting the possibility presented by having not one, but two, supernatural beings go body-hopping in the Flash's meat suit. Deadman can be such a riot of a character, and he's sadly underutilized here.

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The End of Uncanny Avengers' Raganarok Now is Here

In a year or two, when Rick Remender has wrapped up his Uncanny Avengers run, this series will probably serve as a litmus test for readers. If you're the type that demands stories have a clear, tangible, lasting impact on the wider universe, this series may wind up disappointing. This issue only solidifies the notion that many of the deaths and dark developments of recent months not only will be undone, but must be undone. But if you're a reader who cares more about the journey than the destination, it's hard to do better than Uncanny Avengers.

With the Avengers Unity Squad steadily dwindling, it's now up to Captain America, Thor, and the Wasp to hold the line and stop Exitar from delivering Celestial judgment upon the world. Given what Marvel have revealed about the next arc of this series, it's probably just as well Remender is spotlighting his classic Avengers characters over the mutant cast. As with the previous issue, Remender focuses a fair amount of attention on the rest of the Avengers and their desperate attempts to fend off the planet-sized Exitar. It's never particularly bothered me that this series seems so divorced from the rest of the franchise, but it is nice to see a larger context for these events and get an idea of when exactly this conflict is taking place.

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Superman: Lois Lane #1 Review

Superman: Lois Lane #1, by writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Emanuela Lupacchino, shows us the intrepid reporter at her finest. That's not to say that she doesn't make bad decisions based on impulse, because she does. But the Lois in the these pages is resolutely human, and her struggles are relatable precisely because of that. Though it isn't without its flaws, the book excels in the range of characterization it achieves, especially given that it's a one-shot; as she races to save her sister from a terrifying new drug, Lois is by turns fierce, vulnerable, frightened, and brave.

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Anomaly 2 Coming to PS4

RTS tower defence game Anomaly 2 has been confirmed for a PS4 port.

Warsaw-based 11 Bit Studios made the announcement on their website, though did not include details on a possible release window, or whether the new PS4 version would come with any platform-specific features. We've contacted the developers and will update this article if we learn anything more.

Anomaly 2 was originally released on PC, Mac and Linux in mid-2013; mobile versions came to iOS and Android later in the year.

In our review of the PC version, we were impressed by the challenging campaign, though thought it was a little too similar to its predecessor Anomaly: Warzone Earth.

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Indestructible Hulk #19 Review

For the last two arcs, Indestructible Hulk has been embroiled in two separate Marvel events that have very little to do with Hulk himself. Fortunately for this series, Mark Waid has easily managed to make these tie-ins feel like an organic part of Hulk’s story. Issue #19 is no exception to that, as the consequences of the Inhumanity event may prove disastrous for the already fragile relationship between Bruce Banner and S.H.I.E.L.D.

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Arrow: "Time of Death" Review

Warning: full episode spoilers follow.

As far as I'm concerned, one of the worst things about the recent Winter Olympics was that it kept Arrow off the air for several weeks. Thankfully, the world has gotten its fill of bobsledding and curling, and we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming. The bad news is that "Time of Death" didn't do much to advance the overarching conflict of Season 2 in either the present or the flashbacks (apart from the pivotal final scene). But it did offer some pretty compelling family drama and a "villain of the week" who came across as more than a walking plot device. Not a bad way to welcome viewers back, all in all.

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The Americans: Season 2 Premiere Review

Note: Full spoilers for The Americans: Season 2 premiere follow.

The Americans returned with Philip and Elizabeth reunited and the Jennings household once more whole - and set up a hell of a sucker punch and visceral warning to the couple about where things could lead by the end.

The opening, with Philip in the midst of an undercover mission involving Afghanistani (who were very much siding with America - 1980s flashback indeed), was a suitably brutal way to throw us back into this world. Philip is, after all, usually the more gentle and less violent of the duo at the center of this show - but when his mission is to kill some guys, he kills them. And even kills the young man working in the kitchen, whose involvement is questionable. Philip not only takes no pleasure from this, it’s something that eats at him - but the mission wins out. Once more, The Americans is a pretty fascinating look at morality and doing the right thing — or certainly what you believe to be the right thing — from a side we don’t usually follow.

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Strike Back Production Delayed Due to Injury

Cinemax's British-American action drama Strike Back was scheduled to wrap up this year with its fourth and final season. However, extenuating circumstances may force the series to bow in 2015.

Deadline reports that actor Sullivan Stapleton, who stars on the show as Sgt. Damien Scott, has suffered a serious injury in Bangkok, Thailand, where he was filming the final 10 episodes. Though Strike Back is a very physically-taxing series, Stapleton actually sustained the injury during his free time off the set. No specific details as to the cause were given.

Production will take a six-month break before moving to Hungary, allowing time for the actor to heal and train again. Fortunately, Stapleton already shot many of his scenes to allow the show to film around the time allotted to promote his role in 300: Rise of an Empire, so production will continue in Thailand through March before going on hiatus.

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Hawkeye #15 Review

Don't let the numbers fool you. Last month, we reviewed Hawkeye #16, and now we're doing #15. We know. It's crazy talk. Settle down, bro. This month's issue, brought to you by writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja, marks a return to form for the title, as we switch gears from Kate's adventures in California to Clint's misadventures in New York. The book's trademark dry humor and sardonic wit bring out the best (or is it worst?) in Hawkeye as the tracksuit-clad bros escalate their war with the Barton brothers.

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All-Star Western #28 Review

Jonah Hex has been living it up in the present day DCU for the last few issues. Writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti have been putting Hex through a lot lately, but the last issue found him facing what was too much to bear. All-Star Western #28 shows us Hex’s recovery process while concluding this arc along the way. The result is a fun story that features an abrupt and somewhat clunky ending.

Palmiotti and Gray have taken Hex on many adventures throughout their tenure. This particular adventure has placed Hex the furthest away from his comfort zone, and it has allowed the creative team to explore him in a fun way that also references the time traveling history of the character. While this issue manages to get things back on track for our main character, it doesn’t really manage to say much more about him other than the fact that he wants to go home again. In fact, most of the character development in this issue comes from Gina, which isn’t a bad thing. The end of this issue features the return of a familiar character, but this time around he is disappointingly used as a mere plot device, and is gone again all too quickly.

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Pariah #1 Review

The first issue of Pariah, by writer Philip Gelatt and artist Brett Weldele, isn't really a story; it's a situation. A group of highly intelligent people are stranded on an old, rickety spacecraft with failing life support systems, on a collision course with Earth. Their goal: don't die. And that's about it. There is a sense of a greater story at play, but it's woefully neglected in favor of the immediate situation at hand.

The cast of Pariah isn't nearly fleshed out enough to make them feel like individuals instead of archetypes. There's the failed leader no one trusts; there's the ambitious woman with a superiority complex; there's the science nerd with all the answers. The lone exception is the voice of the narrator, the book's one shining personality. Sadly, that voice is wasted on the issue's preoccupation with solving a problem (Don't die!) instead of telling a story.

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Tomb Raider #1 Review

Tomb Raider #1, by writer Gail Simone and artist Nicolás Daniel Selma, is meant to be a good jumping on point for new readers who haven't necessarily played the most recent game to completion. As someone who has done just that, I can't begin to tell you if that endeavor is successful or not (I cannot unsee what has been seen), but I can tell you that the story picks up in the aftermath of the game's events. Lara Croft still bears the psychological scars left by her time on Yamatai, and her friends and fellow survivors aren't doing much better. And it's especially hard to put the pieces back together when the past stubbornly refuses to stay dead.

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Fantastic Four #1 Review

All superhero franchises are cyclical to some degree. With Fantastic Four, the usual emphasis on family dynamics and exploration are sporadically broken up by dark plot twists or character deaths. And so after a year of Matt Fraction's run emphasizing the exploration element, it seems the pendulum has swung back towards darkness with this new series. James Robinson's first issue kicks off with a flash-forward teasing the dark developments Marvel's First Family will face in the months ahead. And while I'm not sure I'm really in the mood for a darker F4 book right now, this material does help add flavor to what would otherwise seem like a pretty by-the-numbers take on the franchise.

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Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand #5 Review

Cataclysm #5 is pretty much exactly what I expected considering the steady downward slope this mini-series has been on from the beginning. For a story intended to chronicle the most desperate and potentially final struggle of the Ultimate Universe, the tension just isn't there. Rarely do our heroes seem to be in any real danger, and what few consequences there actually are from this showdown seem shoehorned in at the last minute.

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Superior Spider-Man #28 Review

At this stage of "Goblin Nation," everything that can go wrong in Otto Octavius' life is going wrong. His base is trashed, his army is scattered, and everyone in his civilian life has become caught up in the chaos one way or another. Needless to say, Dan Slott is certainly building an epic finale to his Superior Spider-Man saga. Luckily, unlike the previous Venom storyline, the material avoids feeling overly cramped and rushed. It's just page after page of payoff to the last year's worth of storylines.

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Wolverine and the X-Men #42 Review

We've come to the end of the road with Jason Aaron's Wolverine and the X-Men. Though Marvel will soon be relaunching this series with a new creative team, and Aaron still has Amazing X-Men on the docket, the end of this series is going to leave a a void in the X-Men franchise. Issue #42 is a fitting sendoff for Aaron's run, equal parts bittersweet, optimistic, and comical. In other words, the same elements that has made this book a success all along.

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Tom Hardy as Britain's Notorious Gangster Twins?

The Dark Knight Rises' Tom Hardy may reportedly pull double duty as Britain's legendary gangster twins the Krays in the film Legend.

ScreenDaily claims "Hardy is in talks to star as both brothers in Legend (working title), which will chart the tortured and unique relationship between gangsters Ronald and Reginald Kray, the identical twin brothers infamous for their criminal exploits in London during the 1950s and 1960s."

Tom Hardy as seen in This Means War.

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One-Hit Wonder #1 Review

One-Hit Wonder is the story of a former Hollywood action star turned Hollywood hitman. Written by Fabrice Sapolsky and illustrated by Ariel Olivetti, issue #1 focuses on Richie Reese as he prepares for his 69th kill. It’s clear by now that our protagonist is an antihero which, thanks in part to shows like Breaking Bad, have never been more popular. The biggest problem facing One-Hit Wonder is that its main character is completely unlikable, and not in the likable way.

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The Walking Dead #122 Review

All Out War continues to live up to the promise of its name, as our friendly neighborhood survivors continue to prepare for the ultimate showdown against the not-so-friendly Saviors. The eighth chapter of this story sees our heroes continuing to regroup, but it also shows us that Kirkman has no interest in letting these characters off easily. The result of this is an issue that focuses as much time on character development as it does on upping the ante on what may just be the biggest challenge our heroes have faced yet.

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Batman/Superman #8 Review

Everyone would probably agree that the first two arcs of Batman/Superman could not have been more different from one another. For those of you interested in a continuation of what you came to expect from the creative team of Greg Pak and Jae Lee, this is the arc for you. Batman/Superman #8 manages to build upon the themes of its stellar first arc, while successfully incorporating the main characters’ very long-distance relatives starring in that other team-up comic, Worlds’ Finest.

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Who Has the Power to Direct the He-Man Movie?

The He-Man movie, Masters of the Universe, is moving forward, but which potential director will… have… the… power…?!

The Wrap reports that Harald Zwart (The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones), Mike Cahill (Another Earth), and Chris McKay are the frontrunners for the job of bringing Prince Adam to the big screen for Sony. If McKay were to land the gig, it would mark his first live-action feature film. He previously served as editor and animation supervisor/co-director on The Lego Movie, and also has a bunch of TV animation credits to his name including Robot Chicken.

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Australia Featured in GT Academy 2014 Program

Sony Computer Entertainment Australia and Nissan have today announced the annual and internationally-recognised GT Academy program will be extended to Australia in 2014. The top six Gran Turismo players in the country will be sent to the GT Academy International Final, to be held at the famous Silverstone racing circuit in the UK.

The top 14 GT players from across the country, as established via the GT6 leaderboards in a series of special time trials, will be joined by an additional 14 players identified at several live contests to be held at V8 Supercars rounds and other public events around Australia. The 28 gamers will compete in a National Final event encompassing GT6 races, actual driving skill challenges in a real car, a fitness challenge, and a media test.

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Do You Want a Beta Code for The Elder Scrolls Online?

The Elder Scrolls Online isn't releasing for another 36 days. That's 36 days of waiting, but you might not have to wait until then to play the game.

We have beta codes for the PC version of The Elder Scrolls Online we want to giveaway. It sounds easy to win a code because it actually is easy to win one! To win one go to any one of our social networks and comment in the appropriate post.

IGN on Tumblr - Direct Link to Post

IGN on Instagram - Direct Link to Image

IGN On Twitter - Direct Link to Tweet

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Exclusive Look Inside Silver Surfer #1

One of IGN's most anticipated comics of the year is, hands down, Silver Surfer by writer Dan Slott and artist Mike Allred from Marvel Comics. Even though it's not out until next month (March 26), we used the Power Cosmic (and some emails) to bring you an IGN exclusive first look inside issue #1.

But the fun doesn't stop there! We had a chat with Allred about the visuals of the book, what drew him to the character, and exactly how you make a character emote when they don't have eyeballs. Plus, there's a snippet about the upcoming CW TV pilot for his acclaimed iZombie comic.

Take a look at the preview art, hear what Allred has to say, and let us know if you're excited for this new take on the Sentinel of the Spaceways.

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American Lawmakers Take Aim at ‘Violent’ Game Devs

American creators of “violent” video games beware: Washington D.C. might just take a swipe at you in its upcoming tax reform bill.

According to The Washington Examiner, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee’s “long-awaited” bill reforming the American tax codes singles out the creators of violent video games, refusing them a proposed research and development tax break.

“On page 19 of the executive summary,” the newspaper reports, “the committee mentions an improved and permanent research and development tax credit, which has benefitted countless industries from manufacturers to software creators to food producers.” As such, the bill proposes a so-called “improved, permanent R&D tax credit” in order for American companies “to compete against their foreign competition who have long had permanent R&D incentives.”

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From the X-Men Set: Talking to the Beast

And our X-Men: Days of Future Past set visit coverage continues today as we chat with the ever agile Beast himself, Nicholas Hoult.

James McAvoy: Xavier Hates Magneto in Days of Future Past

Hoult of course played Hank McCoy, a.k.a. the Beast, in X-Men: First Class three years ago, and he returns to the X-Mansion for director Bryan Singer’s time-travel tale Days. Unfortunately, the day I was on set, Hoult was not in his blue and furry make-up, despite the events of First Class that saw him transformed into his full beastly self. But the actor explains the (occasional) lack of blue in the interview below. Read on for all things Beast…

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What Makes the Perfect Video Game?

Many will say that there is no such thing as a "perfect video game." While perfection may not exist in this medium, there are ways to make it that much closer.

We asked IGN readers to let us know what they believe makes the perfect video game. Although the word "perfect" is subjective, readers had some general agreements.

Story. It's all about story. I can tolerate games that don't have great gameplay (see my recent top 10 games for plenty of examples), as long as the story and aesthetic reel me in. Sadly, the opposite isn't true. Obviously the perfect video game will have both, but I've always felt relatable, well-written characters can more than make up for a number of other deficits. - IGN Editor, Luke Karmali

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Adam Driver Cast as New Star Wars Villain

Girls and Inside Llewyn Davis actor Adam Driver is headed to the dark side.

Variety reports that Driver is near a deal to play the unnamed villain in Star Wars: Episode VII.

"Exact details are unknown, but the character is said to be in the vein of iconic Star Wars villain Darth Vader," the trade claims.

Expect a deluge of casting news in the weeks ahead as director J.J. Abrams prepares to shoot Episode VII at Pinewood Studios in April.

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Sony Closing 20 Retail Stores, Laying Off 1,000 Workers

Only a day after confirming layoffs at Santa Monica Studio, Sony has now announced layoffs and store closures for its chain of U.S. retail locations. The company issued a press release on Wednesday, stating approximately 1,000 employees are affected by the cuts.

Image Source: Sony

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Hannibal: Will Graham Plans to Fight Back

One of the best shows on TV, Hannibal is back for Season 2 this Friday. When last we saw Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), he was in big, big trouble - framed by Hannibal Lecter for Hannibal’s own murders and locked up. Yet after believing he was going mad, and maybe even had committed these crimes, Will saw the truth - and knows Hannibal is the one responsible.

I spoke with Hugh Dancy about the second season of Hannibal, how Will is reacting to his situation and more.

IGN TV: Your character went through so much in the first season and things are dire for him now, as far as being locked up, but where is he at psychologically?

Hugh Dancy: Well, you know, the one thing he's got going for him -- the only thing he's got going for him -- in Season 2, is he's finally playing with a full deck of cards. He understands who Hannibal is, or maybe not fully, but he understands what Hannibal's done to him. Even though he's totally isolated, he is in a position to start fighting back, fully informed. That kind of clarity is so important to him. I think the worst thing that happened to Will in the first season was his fear that he was losing his mind, that his personality was breaking down. So in that respect, strangely, I always imagined Will -- even though he's in prison, even though he's locked up -- being more powerful than he's ever been before.

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Writer Set for JGL's Sandman Movie

Warner Bros. has tapped writer Jack Thorne (How I Live Now) to pen the screenplay for their upcoming Sandman movie, based on Neil Gaiman's critically acclaimed comic book.

JGL on What Drew Him to Sandman

We already know that David Goyer, who assembled the pitch for Warners, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are attached to produce the feature adaptation, with Gaiman executive producing.

Morpheus in The Sandman

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Dark Souls 2 Engine Created with Next-Gen in Mind

The new engine for Dark Souls II was created with next-gen consoles in mind. During a trip to From Software’s office in Tokyo that resulted in our Making Dark Souls 2 feature, the game’s programmers explained to IGN how Dark Souls II is the studio’s first step into the future of console and PC gaming.

“We always had in mind the next generation, such as DirectX11 and next generation hardware when creating our technology, and also challenged ourselves as programmers to simultaneously create for the new generation,” explained Ando-san, a programmer at From Software.

While the Souls series is known for its nightmarish creatures and scenarios, the developers still wanted to keep the design somewhat grounded in reality. As he explained, “The thing we prioritized when re-creating our engine was, as a concept, taking the graphics to a more photo-realistic look, and in order to fulfill this, we had decided to discard our old engine and create a new one.”

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The Bag Man Review

The Bag Man, directed by David Grovic, is a grimy noir that celebrates scenery-chewing and smart alecks, even when it doesn’t entirely fit the tone that the movie establishes early on. There are certainly worse low-budget crime flicks out there; at least The Bag Man gives us the opportunity to enjoy John Cusack and Robert De Niro play off one another.

Jack (Cusack) is a hired gun that is told by Dragna (De Niro) to retrieve a bag for him and wait at a motel to make the hand-off. Dragna makes it clear that no matter what, Jack is not to look in the bag; his job is simply to make the hand-off as requested. Of course, things don’t go quite so smoothly, as Jack is immediately hunted by others on the prowl for the bag, and he has to consider that his boss is toying with him. With his job hindered by unexpected competitors and a down-on-her-luck woman named Rivka (Rebecca De Costa), Jack goes through one hell of a night.

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Liam Neeson Joins the Entourage Movie

It seems like Liam Neeson has been in movies, ahem, non-stop lately. Now, it looks like Ra’s Al Ghul himself will show up in the Entourage movie.

TheWrap has released a photo from the set of the upcoming Entourage movie, which features Neeson with star Jeremy Piven (as his character, Ari Gold). Neeson stopped by the set to shoot the scene in-between his Non-Stop promotion. They hypothesize that Neeson will play himself, considering the nature of the original, Los Angeles-based series.

According to TheWrap, eyewitnesses spotted “Neeson driving a gold Bentley, with Piven steering a red Ferrari fit for a new studio chief.”

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Hearthstone Unlockable Card Back Designs Coming Soon

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft players will soon have a way to customize their digital decks beyond the cards included in them, as Blizzard has announced it will soon release new card back designs.

Five new card backs were shown off by Blizzard today, each with its own way of unlocking it. The specific process for earning most of the backs was not revealed; Blizzard instead only stated they could be earned through things like special events and participating in ranked play. One, however, was said to be unlocked by achieving the Legend rank -- the game's highest ranking during any given season in ranked play.

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The Stand Lands a New Writer-Director

With Ben Affleck, David Yates, and Scott Cooper all having flirted with the project in the past, Warner Bros. and CBS Films have reportedly finally landed a director for their feature film version of Stephen King's The Stand.

TheWrap reports that Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) "is nearing a deal to write and direct" what the site claims will be "a single, R-rated movie that will be faithful to the book."

King's best-selling novel was previously adapted as a TV miniseries in 1994.

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Tropico 5 Beta Sign-Ups Now Available

Publisher Kalypso Media has just opened up registration for a chance to beta test Tropico 5 for PC. The beta is only for the PC version, and not available for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360 versions of the game. The full release of the dictator sim is slated for sometime in the second quarter of 2014.

Tropico 5 will introduce many new mechanics to the series, such as the progression through time periods. Players will be able to advance their country through different eras of history, from the 1800s to present day. The egregious dictator El Presidente will also have an extended family to help lead. Other aspects are also being overhauled, like the economy, trading, military, alongside the addition of multiplayer.

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Ride in Style with WildStar's Customizable Mounts

In the upcoming MMO WildStar, mounts are more than just a way to get from here to there. Some are cuddly, others are a little more ferocious, and some are just plain awesome hover boards. While they look neat and do ease the pain of travel, the best thing about them is just how much you can customize them to show off your own personal style. That's right, WildStar has customizable mounts.

Below, we have two WildStar mount customization videos. The first is a DevSpeak that gives an introduction to the system and shows off a huge variety of customization options. The second is a developer commentary with WildStar's Design Producer Stephan Frost (you'll recognize his voice from the DevSpeaks), giving us a guided in-game tour of mount customization with his own rides.

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At Retail, PlayStation 4 Game Sales Soft in Japan

PlayStation 4 sold very well during its Japanese debut -- 322,000 consoles were sold in 48 hours -- but its software sales seem to be soft, at least at retail.

Japanese Media Create charts, which are updated every week, show 10 PlayStation 4 games in the Top 20, according to a translated list from Gematsu. But the numbers aren't incredibly impressive.

Topping the list is Knack, which sold over 300,000 copies. However, Knack comes with every PlayStation 4 sold in Japan, explaining the one-to-one attach rate. The other nine PS4 games in the top 20 are as follows:

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The Swapper Announced for PS3, PS4, and Vita

The Swapper is coming to three new platforms this spring, as the puzzle-platformer was announced today for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita.

In an announcement on the PlayStation Blog, Curve Studios announced it would be porting the Facepalm Games-developed title to PlayStation platforms in "late May." Details on price or any potential changes or improvements in these versions were not shared, although Curve did say it would be a Cross-Buy title on Twitter, meaning that one purchase of the game will provide you with access to it on multiple platforms.

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Why FX's The Americans is So Cool

FX hit a home run last year with the debut of their sizzling retro-spycraft series, The Americans - featuring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as early 80s cold war-era Soviet sleeper spies posing as a nice, normal American couple in suburbia.

Keri Russell Talks The Americans: Season 2

And their cover would've been perfect if it weren't for the fact that they had two teen children who didn't know their parents were spies. Oh and that one of the two parents, Rhys' Phillip, had started treating his family loyalties more seriously than his duties as a KGB agent. Oh, and the fact that they lived right next door to the FBI agent assigned to track them down. That didn't help matters either.

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Trials Fusion Release Date Revealed

Trials Fusion will be available from April 16, Ubisoft has announced.

The sequel to Trials Evolution will be available to download on PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC on that date for £15.99. A physical retail version will also be released for PS4, Xbox One and PC a few days later on April 18 that'll bundle in a Season Pass.

For those who opt to go down the digital route, the Season Pass will be available to purchase separately for £15.99. Doing so will get you access to the six DLC packs containing new tracks, bike parts, rider gear and items planned for release between the game's launch and April 30, 2015. Purchasing the Season Pass represents a 30 percent saving on buying the packs individually.

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GTA 5: Mob Wives Star Suing Rockstar Over Character

The daughter of a retired gangster is suing Rockstar amid claims the developer used her likeness and life story in Grand Theft Auto V.

The NY Daily News reports Karen Gravano, who's previously starred on US reality show Mob Wives, has filed a suit for $40 million, half of which is for punitive damages, the other half for compensation.

According to Gravano, a character encountered during the random encounter mission 'Burial' called Antonia Bottino bears more than a passing resemblance to her, both in terms of appearance and backstory.

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IGN UK Podcast #220: Live and Limping

Greetings, and welcome to the IGN UK Podcast (we might need to change that title if we start filming it more).

If you're on this page right now, you have the envious pleasure of watching Krupa, Alex, and Chris prattle on live... so enjoy that (if you can):

Check back later for an archive of the show, in addition to the audio version (if that's more your sort of thing).

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Marvel/Netflix TV Series Will Film in New York

Get ready, New York - Some Marvel superheroes will soon be roaming your streets! The Wrap is reporting that the upcoming Marvel/Netflix TV series Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones and Iron Fist, will all be filming in New York. A source has told The Wrap that Disney CEO Bob Iger and Governor Andrew Cuomo will announce the plan today in Times Square and that "the state has carved out tax incentives valued at around $4 million to accommodate the needs of the massive multi-character series."

In Marvel Comics, New York City has traditionally been where a huge amount of the Marvel superheroes are based out of, including the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man. However, no Marvel Studios production has been primarily shot in New York - even films like The Avengers and Captain America, which had many scenes there, only filmed a few key exteriors in the city.

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